16 Weeks!

The time is just flying now!  Before school started, I would check my pregnancy apps daily, I could tell you exactly how many days pregnant I was, and I had a count down to the second trimester.  Now, I guess how far along I am -- and secretly check sometime (usually days) later.  I haven't checked any pregnancy apps in awhile. :)  School (both teaching and classes at night) have made this pregnancy fly by...so far!

Food cravings/aversions:  For me, pregnancy = cravings.  Crazy cravings.  Hostess crumb doughnuts make their way into my breakfast routine at least once a week.  Chocolate milk.  Recently, the little blue kool-aid juices have tasted like liquid gold.  Oh, and I've eaten Carlos chips and salsa every day for lunch this week.  Just chips and salsa.  I am happy to say that I can still eat chicken (which I couldn't with Jack), and tomato sauce and chocolate.  I don't know if those are good or bad things.

My aversions are:  I feel sick and queasy when I drink pop, especially caffeinated pop.  Weird for me!  French fries are either my best friend or my worst enemy.  When they are fresh, I love them.  When they are stale, I swear I can taste EVERYTHING that has been fried with them.  Weird, again, I know. I cringe at the sight of buffalo sauce.  I ate a little too much of it at the very beginning.

Changes/feelings:  I'm starting to feel like I look pregnant!  I'm getting past that awkward stage of I-can-get-away-with-regular-clothes, however I probably shouldn't.  My maternity pants are too big, but they are much more comfortable than regular pants.  Many of the shirts I am wearing were from pre-pregnancy...only because I know soon they won't fit!  I haven't gained any weight...I've lost 5 pounds since before.  I don't know why I'm good at that during pregnancy?!

Memorable moment this week:  Ultrasound!  It was the sweetest, best idea ever.  It was an elective one.  I was DYING to know what baby K was...so we did it.  We counted fingers (10, check!), toes, organs, watched baby snuggle, and it was such a great experience.  I was sent home with a goodie bag, a cd of pictures, and a dvd of the ultrasound.  Kudos to Prenatal Vision!

Oh, and for the first time in 17 weeks, I woke up this morning without gagging.  Maybe, just maybe, the sickness has gone forever?!  I wouldn't be sad. at. all.

What I'm looking forward to:  Our next ultrasound...which will be our FIFTH one this pregnancy!  I just love seeing our little peanut bouncing around and waving at us.  It makes our appointments much more exciting.

I am so blessed.  I am so excited.  I am so ready for newborn baby snuggles.

March will be here...

...before I know it.

Just as soon as I think I'm ready to head back-to-school for the year, I get the holy-guacamole-I'm-so-swamped-how-can-I-possibly-do-it-all feeling back in my brain.  From teacher meetings, to tucking Jack into bed, to baby appointments and ultrasounds, to grad. class and observations....my to-do list is miles long.  What's keeping me going to start this school year?  My year, and all of my crazy to-dos, will END at the beginning of March!  Thank goodness.

Now, that doesn't mean I won't be busy then...it will just be a welcomed, different busy.  A diaper changing, bottle cleaning, toddler-chasing busy that I'm so excited for.  Not to mention a 5 1/2 month maternity leave until the next school year begins.

So, when I feel overwhelmed, I look down at my growing tummy.  Timing is everything....and the timing for this little peanut is perfect.

I'm looking forward to:

• a short, four day work week
• finishing my big grad. project of a formal evaluation on a teacher (that will be done on Friday)!
• friends!  My besties and their beaus are coming to visit this weekend!  We'll have appetizers and snacks while we root on Iowa for the big game, and then my fav. little babysitter is coming over so we can all go out for a night on the town in West Glen.  So excited!
• ultrasound :)  and the big gender reveal!  Will we have a family of four with two little boys or a boy and a girl?!  Jack still insists on it being a "brogger", however, he will say "sseeser" every once-and-a-while.
• Christmas present shopping.  Although, Jack has every toy I think that has ever been made for toddlers, I can't wait to buy him even more!  Oh, and books, too!

Happy Monday, everyone! :)